Heart Like a Dog

The Good, the Bad, and the Oh My God of living with dogs!

Why I Buy Kidde Smoke Detectors

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Close to four years ago, we had an issue with a malfunctioning smoke alarm.  (You can read about that HERE.)

It took us a long time to work through Sampson’s noise phobia after the smoke alarm incident. He’s finally at a place where noise doesn’t bother him too much, but I think some of that in part, might be a slight loss of hearing.

Kidde Smoke Alarms Save the Day

After the smoke alarm incident, I looked around for a smoke detector that didn’t beep. In my search I came across Kidde smoke detectors.  We ended up with the hallway, and bedroom smoke detectors. The wording on the box of the bedroom smoke detector said, “Talking.”

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Sold!

Ten Year Sealed Lithium Battery

The great thing about the Kidde smoke detectors is the ten year battery. You don’t have to check or replace your battery every year. In fact, the battery in the Kidde smoke detector is a sealed lithium battery.  You cannot replace it. When the battery goes, you throw it out and get a new one.

When I read that label that said talking smoke detector, I immediately thought, this will be perfect for Sampson. But what I discovered is, it still beeps.  It does ‘say’ Fire, BUT it also beeps.

How do I know this you ask?

In August of 2016 I was getting ready to leave for vacation when the smoke alarm in the bedroom started beeping. I took it down, checked it, it stopped beeping, I put it up. I did this the second time it went off. The third time it went off, I took it off the wall, put it in a Styrofoam cooler, and put it in the garage.

Ain’t nobody got time for that!

I consulted the Google to discover some people were having issue with the smoke detectors when it was really humid out. It was August, and humid as all get out, so I assumed that was the issue. I went to Vancouver, and then I forgot all about that smoke detector, until…

My Dog Freaked Out From a Beeping Smoke Detector

One night last summer, at around midnight, the smoke detector in the hallway suddenly began beeping. Almost immediately, Sampson came barreling through the bedroom door in blind panic.

I don’t mind a little noise, but that constant beeping, It’s scary! Almost as scary as an orange and pink lizard.

I got up pushed the button and the noise stopped. Got back in bed, starting settling Sampson down and the thing went off again. Tried pushing the button but that didn’t work. Sampson is following me around panting like mad, so I decided I’d put the damn thing in my car (or smash it in the driveway) and  I was just on my way outside when Hubby came out of his room.  Then Delilah got up, so now the four of us are in the dark living room, trying to figure out why this thing wouldn’t stop beeping!  Hubby tried taking the back off to pull the battery, but you can’t.

Finally, frustrated and exasperated, Hubby took a screwdriver and killed it.

Dead.

Kidde Stands Behind Their Smoke Detectors

The next morning I called Kidde to complain about their smoke detectors. I mean, what’s the point of spending extra money for a 10-year guarantee if it doesn’t last?

The customer service rep was kind, and good. He listened to me without interruption, while I told him about the two faulty smoke detectors. He asked me if the first detector was still beeping and I told him “no.” He asked if the battery was still good, and I told him I didn’t think so.

Then he said, “I’ll send you replacements.”

In case you missed it, that was plural. Replacements.

I was floored.

“Did you hear me? We killed the smoke detector. We didn’t just stop it from beeping, we destroyed it. Dismantled, dismembered, it’s literally in pieces.”

He understood what I was saying, and yet, he was replacing BOTH of my smoke detectors. Without me even asking.

But while I had his ear, I had to ask, “Why would the smoke detector go off? I mean, the box says it’s good for 10 years.”

That’s when he dropped this little bombshell on me.

Are you ready?

You have to clean them. Am I the only one who didn’t KNOW this? WTF? Yes, you need to 1) use your vacuum on them once per month, (paying attention to that little sensor located via a hole on the side, or 2) use condensed air to blow them off, because sometimes bits of dust can get on the sensor and cause it to malfunction.

Still, even though I hadn’t cleaned the smoke detector, and even though I literally destroyed a smoke detector, a few days after my phone call to Kidde, two replacement smoker detectors were delivered to my home.

I’ve worked customer service of some type for years. You could say I’m particular when it comes to customer service. Okay, you should say I’m particular because I am. In my experience, customer service has fallen by the wayside with a lot of companies, so when I find a company that 1) stands behind their product and 2) provides outstanding customer service, you can bet I’m going to share my experience.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a couple of smoke detectors to vacuum.

Disclosure: This post is not sponsored by Kidde Smoke Detectors. Kidde Smoke Detectors is not responsible for any of the information shared here. I simply had a good experience and wanted to share that with my readers.

Brentwood Home Dog Bed – Review and Giveaway

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I hated to acknowledge it at the ages of 7 and 8 1/2, but now at almost 12, and 13 1/2; there’s no more living in Denial land.

I have Senior dogs.

And while it’s a blessing to have old dogs in your life, it’s also a bit sad to watch them adjusting to the everyday changes in their bodies. Sampson has had two knee injuries and one knee surgery. While I suspect he’s had arthritis in his front paws for a while (over compensation for those bad knees) the knee and hip arthritis has only been diagnosed in the last couple of years.

We have Sampson on a protocol of supplements and pain meds that seem to be working for him. But since Sampson does an enormous amount of sleeping, I really wanted to get him an orthopedic bed.

Enter Brentwood Home Orthopedic dog beds.

You guys, Brentwood Home Orthopedic Dog beds hit all my criteria.

  • They are made in the US (California to be exact).
  • They are made with Pet Friendly, Non-Toxic Materials (CertiPUR-US certified foams that are safe to sleep, and chew on. (Not that I have any bed chewers mind you).
  • The design is classic, so it works with any décor.
  • The fabric is furniture grade with lock stitching to hold up against tug-of-war, messy treats and scratching. (Yes, I DO have two scratchers in the house).
  • The cover is quilted and not only removable, but washable as well.
  • Oh…and those CertiPUR-US foams I mentioned? There are two layers…the top layer is memory foam, while the second layer provides the orthopedic support base, these foam layers are protected by a waterproof liner, in case of any type of liquid accident.

Choosing the right size bed

So…I made a mistake when I was ordering the bed, and I did not measure the beds we have now vs the size of the beds on the Brentwood Home website, and I ordered an extra-large, (a large would have worked just fine.) Let me tell you, the bed is HUGE.

Here you see Sampson ignoring the new bed…but you can also see how large (and pretty) it is.

It is fully the length of a love seat, but it works for Sampson because he is a stretch out type of dog, vs Delilah who typically curls up. It’s also large enough for one of Sampson’s peeps to snuggle up in the front of the TV or fireplace and cuddle on a cold winter’s night.

I joked with Hubby that on those super cold winter nights, I might bring my blanket out and cuddle up in front of the fire…on Sampson’s bed. It’s that comfy!

Here we see Delilah curling up and checking out the new bed. Sampson has decided he’ll humor his human by resting his head on the bolster.

Brentwood Home has two different styles of dog beds, so which bed is right for you?

Well that all depends on what your pet prefers.

The Runyon has the bolsters on three sides, perfect for using as pillows, or for the pets who like that additional security.

The Griffith has no sides, for those guys who like to stretch out, or hang their heads over the side.

What about color choices?

There are three color choices listed on the website, Sandstone, Charcoal and Mocha. The color we chose is called Raven, (it is like a midnight blue with a gray/white criss cross pattern), but it’s not listed on their website yet.

What if I’m like you and order the wrong size?

Well if you forget to measure, or just misjudge the size, Brentwood Home offers free returns within 30 days.

Warranties and whatnot

They also stand by the quality of their products, so the bed comes with a 3-year warranty.

AND…if something DOES happen to that cover, (you HAVE a chewer or a scratcher), you can purchase the cover separately. Isn’t that awesome?

After taking his sweet time, Sampson has decided the orthopedic bed by Brentwood Home is a perfect place to stretch out, and rest those tired bones.

Want a Brentwood Home Bed for your pet?

Good news peeps. We are giving away one bed, winner’s choice.

But Jodi, I don’t want to wait!!

Can’t wait to see if you’ve won? You can purchase your own bed right now, and get a 15% discount by using HEART15 at checkout! Code is good for 15% off the Runyon and Griffith pet beds. One use per customer. Code is good through 12/31/2017 at 11:59 PM PST.  (If you use this code, we will receive a small fee, and we thank you for supporting this blog.)

Stuff I have to tell you…

Contest runs from November 30, 2017 at 12:00 AM (EST) to December 7, 2017 at 11:59 PM (EST). With apologies to all, this contest is limited to U.S. residents only, not including Alaska or Hawaii.
Winner will be chosen randomly, and once entry has been verified, will be announced on our Facebook page, and also notified by e-mail. Winner’s e-mail address will be provided to Sponsor in order for Sponsor to arrange for prize. If winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new winner will be chosen.
This post is sponsored by Brentwood Home. I have been compensated for sharing my opinion of the Runyon dog bed. The opinions in this post are my own, and uninfluenced by any other person or business.  Brentwood Home is responsible for delivery of the dog bed, including shipping.

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Treating Arthritis and Joint Injuries With CBD Oil

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This post is sponsored by Treatibles. I have been compensated for sharing my honest opinion about Treatibles. But I will never share something with you I don’t use myself.

Both my dogs are considered seniors now, and have been for a while. At eight-years-old I disagreed with this, but now, at 13 (Sampson) and almost 11 (Delilah) I’ve had to accept the fact, that yes, I have senior dogs.

It’s hard for me to imagine these two are Seniors.

Both dogs have had age related issues, in the last few years. Most notably Sampson has been dealing with Arthritis and Delilah was recently diagnosed with a progressive Cornea Disease. Sampson has also been dealing with CCL tears, although those are probably more related to his build and his lifestyle.

If you follow this blog, you know that I’ve tried many, many different procedures, therapies, and supplements to help ease Sampson’s joint discomfort. Most of them work, if not for long term, at least for a short while. Since his partial CCL tear in January of 2015, the bulk of his treatment has been pharmaceutical, which most of you know, is my last choice for treatment. He’s been on Carprofen for inflammation and Gabapentin which is a nerve-blocker. He also has Tramadol for those really bad days.

His walks are limited to short, gentle walks twice per day. While I know these walks are what’s best for him right now, it hurts my heart that his world has become so small. One of my hopes is that I can find something that will allow him to have longer walks on occasion, and hopefully get him back into the woods that he loves.

For a while now I’ve been wanting to find a natural product that would help him with this goal, as well as allow me to begin weaning him off the pharmaceuticals. I’d consider Hemp, but the one biscuit I tried, was just not cost effective for a dog Sampson’s size.

When I noticed the folks from Treatibles would be at BlogPaws, I couldn’t wait to talk to them. I stopped at the booth and spoke to Jodi, explaining Sampson’s situation, and the fact that he was such a large dog, and costs for using the Hemp were prohibitive for me. Jodi happily shared they had a Hemp capsule, that would give Sampson the dosage he required for an amount that seemed reasonable to me, and fit into my budget.

Treatibles CBD Oil

Sampson is currently on his third bottle of Hemp, with a dosage of one 10 mg capsule per day. Dosage is typically 1 mg per 10 pounds of body weight, but this will depend on your pet, and what issues you’re treating. For a dog Sampson’s size, he would normally get about 9 mg, but it’s perfectly safe for him to get more than the recommended dosage.

I’m seeing the Hemp work in a couple of different ways.

One…we can tell he is feeling better. He walks better, with less of a limp in his bad leg. He is also more playful.  He will often times grab a toy and flip it around. One day he actually ‘threw’ something at me, which I haven’t seen him do in ages. He will also run around the house in short bursts, and has initiated play with Delilah on more than one occasion. There have also been times in the yard, where I’ve turned my back for a few minutes, or dashed into the house for something, only to come back outside, to find Sampson has used the stairs and given himself full access to the back yard. Those times he comes back to the door with a definite swagger in his step.  You can tell he’s so proud of himself.

July 21, 2017 – The day before he started on Treatibles.

The second area where we’ve noted improvement is in his front paws. For the longest time Sampson has been licking at his front paws.  There were actually periods of time where this licking made his paws bleed.  He actually licked those paws practically raw. Initially we thought it was behavioral, allergies, a lick granuloma, or boredom. Then he was diagnosed with Arthritis in his front toes and wrists and it all made sense.

Since starting on the Hemp oil, I’ve noticed a definite slow down, of the licking.  (FYI, I’m also working on shortening those nails because I believe they are also a contributing factor to the arthritis pain.) His paws started looking amazing, so good in fact, that I thought it might be safe to start decreasing the amount of the Gabapentin he was taking.

August 13, 2017 – Just about 4 weeks after he started taking Treatibles.

Let’s look at those paws side by side.

About a month ago, I started decreasing his Gabapentin. He was taking 300 mg twice per day. One in the morning and one in the evening. At first I started by dropping him down with the morning Gaba. 200 mg in the morning, 300 mg at night. He seemed okay with that. We did that for at least a week to 10 days. Then I dropped his Gaba down to 200 mg in the morning, with the same dosage at night. After a week or so, I noted that while he wasn’t going at his toes so much, he had begun licking at his wrists.

October 11, 2017 – 3 months after starting Treatibles

So he’s back on the Gabapentin at 300 mg twice per day. Without the Hemp Oil, I think we would have kept increasing the Gabapentin, which is something I really wanted to avoid. So for now, he will continue with the Treatibles Hemp Oil, along with the Gabapentin and the Carprofen.

A lot of people are under the misconception that Hemp is a psychoactive drug like Marijuana, and that’s just not true.  You will not be giving your pet “pot treats”.  While Hemp and Marijuana both come from the same plant species, “Cannabis,” Hemp has little to no THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) which is the chemical compound that gets you high.  (SOURCE)  A lot of the differences come from the way they are grown and cultivated, although it’s good to note that Hemp is grown all over the world and is used for food, oil and fiber, in this fashion, the whole plant is use, as opposed to Marijuana, where only the buds are used.

If you’re interested in finding out exactly how the Cannabinoid system works in your pet, check out the information page at Treatibles.

Hemp oil can be used to help manage a variety of different issues with your pet. From pain and inflammation, to separation anxiety, epilepsy and seizures, joint pain and inflammation, allergies, and the list goes on and on.

To see how some of our blogging friends have benefited from using Hemp, you can check out these reviews as well.

Can Treatibles CBD Oil Products Benefit Your Pet? Our Experience & Review by Jan at Wag ‘N Woof Pets.

CBD Gel Capsules and Hemp Chews For Big Dogs: Treatibles Review by Jen at My Brown Newfies

Besides offering CBD oil in a capsule, Treatibles also has cookie type treats, as well as oil in drops, so you can get the exact dosage your pet needs.

I’m truly grateful for the folks at Treatibles for making a quality product that’s affordable for me, and offers me so many different options.

Treatibles Gel Caps gets a big four paws up from us.

 

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